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Ace Picks: Week 9

NEW ORLEANS @ Carolina – They almost made us forget about how horrible their defense has been by beating up on Green Bay last week, but they are on the road in this one, playing against a Carolina team that is desperate for a win. I don’t trust the Panthers, though, because Cam Newton hasn’t been running lately, and I think the Saints are able to contain him in this contest, even at home. The Saints will run all over that Carolina defense in this one, and Drew Brees won’t have to do the heavy lifting, and their defense will keep Cam Newton on his back. Pick: NEW ORLEANS.

SUNDAY GAMES

Jacksonville @ CINCINNATI – The Bengals defense stepped up in the win against Baltimore last week, but they won’t be needed as much against a Jacksonville team playing on the road in this one. While the Jaguars discovered a competent runner in Denard Robinson, their aerial attack will suffer against a suddenly relevant Bengals defense playing at home. This one won’t even be close, especially since A.J. Green should be back. Pick: CINCINNATI.

Tampa Bay @ CLEVELAND – The Browns righted the ship last week after their debacle against Jacksonville, although Brian Hoyer hasn’t played great over the past two games. Beating up on Oakland, however, doesn’t really constitute a revival. A similar plan of attack, and a solid running game, should also be able to take care of Tampa Bay this week, though, who may be without Doug Martin, and who will definitely be without a solid defense. Advantage Browns. Pick: CLEVELAND.

ARIZONA @ Dallas – I believed in the Cowboys last week, but they showed their true colors against a Redskins team that was starting Colt McCoy. Colt McCoy. Now Romo is a game-time decision, and even if he does play obviously his mobility will be compromised. Meanwhile, Carson Palmer is a step above Colt McCoy, and the Cardinals’ run defense will be able to force some turnovers. Even in Dallas. Pick: ARIZONA.

NY Jets @ KANSAS CITY – This game is in Kansas City. Oh, and it’s the New York Jets. Sure, Michael Vick is starting this game for New York, but he’s not averse to turnovers, and Kansas City is good at forcing them. Combine that with the dominant running of Jamaal Charles and Knile Davis, and you have a recipe for a blowout by the Chiefs. Pick: KANSAS CITY.

San Diego @ MIAMI – The Chargers are the darlings of the league with their success story so far this year, but they haven’t been able to keep up with teams that are hotter, and Miami certainly qualifies right now with their style of play last week. Besides, San Diego is traveling across the country, which almost never bodes well for the West Coast team heading to the East Coast. The jet lag will get them, but so will that Miami defense that will play another inspiring game at home. Pick: MIAMI.

WASHINGTON @ Minnesota – RGIII should be back for this one, and just in time. He’s been looking good in practice, and his mobility should open up room on the ground for Alfred Morris. Their defense stepped up against Dallas last week and I think they’ll get it going again this week against a rookie quarterback, even at home. DeSean Jackson will keep his momentum and have a few big plays as well. Pick: WASHINGTON.

PHILADELPHIA @ Houston – The Eagles played well on both sides of the ball last week in Arizona except for that ludicrous 75-yard touchdown they gave up in the end. They need to rely on LeSean McCoy in the red zone, and particularly at the goal line. That being said, their two losses this year have both been on the road, and each by 5 points or less. While this one is also on the road, they have the weapons to deal and the deep ball to deal with a Texans team that will be taking this one for granted. Pick: PHILADELPHIA.

St. Louis @ SAN FRANCISCO – Remember when San Francisco took out the Rams on the road a few weeks ago? Not much has changed since then, except this one is in the Bay area and the 49ers have played well of late at their new stadium. That doesn’t bode well for a St. Louis team that played poorly last week after their big win against Seattle. While it’s a divisional matchup, and the Rams should come out firing, I trust that 49ers defense to get after the quarterback and seal this one up early. Pick: SAN FRANCISCO.

DENVER @ New England – Sure, Tom Brady holds a considerable edge over Peyton Manning in the regular season, but Manning has the better team around him, and he’s still seething from that comeback last season by the Patriots in the regular season. The Denver defense is much improved since then, and they just came off a dismantling of a solid Chargers team. Order is restored in this one, even in Foxborough. Pick: DENVER.

Oakland @ SEATTLE – The Seahawks haven’t scored many points lately, but they’re back at home, and they are in the process of adjusting to the trade of Percy Harvin. I think they right the ship here the way they should have against Carolina last week, at least offensively. Russell Wilson will have a great day and the Seahawks will once again look like the Seahawks in this one. Pick: SEATTLE.

BALTIMORE @ Pittsburgh – Which Steelers team shows up here? Will it be the one that totally decimated the Colts last week or the one that got blown out by Cleveland three weeks ago? I think it will be a team somewhere in the middle, which won’t be good enough to beat a Baltimore team that can throw the football and matches up well against them. Divisional matchups are never predictable, which is especially true between these two teams. Joe Flacco will outlast Ben Roethlisberger in this one, though, and my money’s on the Ravens on Sunday night. Pick: BALTIMORE.

MONDAY NIGHT

INDIANAPOLIS @ NY Giants – The Colts have got to be angry after that beatdown in Pittsburgh last week, and Andrew Luck has the weapons to expose that New York defense. Even though the Giants are coming off a bye and playing on Monday night, they’re still without Victor Cruz and Rashad Jennings, and that’s enough for the Colts defense to come up a bit taller than they did against the Steelers. Pick: INDIANAPOLIS.